Top card ace high (Guillemot 3D Prophet 2 MX)

Member Name: JPShooter

Product:	Guillemot 3D Prophet 2 MX
Date:	04/06/01 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant graphics, cheap, easy to install

Disadvantages: Some older games may not recognise it

The 3D Prophet MX II is a good mix of price and quality. When I was looking to buy a video card, I wanted to keep in the relatively "budget" category, that is to say not over £300! It seems that there is a big gap between those cards around £100 - £150, and then those at £300+. This is a top-end card for this price bracket.

The card itself may look a bit funny, but this is, as you all know, irrelevant. The specs are shown above, and are impressive. I own many 3D-oriented games, and none have problems with this card aside from FIFA 2000. Using this as an example, the game just doesn't recognise the card, and it is forced to run in 640 x 480 resolution, which is low, especially for a 19" monitor. However, all of my other games worth their salt automatically detect the card and run at 1024 x 768 (high-resolution) without any problems at all.

If you haven't bought a video card before, or you have but haven't physically installed it, don't be put off. The instructions provide a step-by-step guide for even the most naive user, and give you most tips for all scenarios. I had problems initially with mine, but that was a faulty power supply in my machine. The drivers (software that controls the card and interfaces with your PC) are sound, and there are multiple options on the desktop for altering the display of your card to your preference.

The graphics it creates are stunning, as many of my friends and myself will testify. For £100, I wouldn't have expected better, and a friend has recently bought the same card on seeing mine. It has 32MB memory, which is ample for anyone but the hardcore gamer. I also noticed a marked difference in quality when playing DVD's on my PC. The picture quality is superb even up close, and if you can get your hands on the version of this card with a TV-out, then do.

Overall, a cheap card with very good results. Perhaps not quite reputable in old games, but n
ew ones will recognise it and work beautifully.

Summary: